The Fake Nerd

Chapter 29

James Pov 

I tap my middle finger against my whiskey glass a low chuckle vibrating in my throat as I watch the security footage broadcasted over a widescreen tv. As much as she has tried to hide Ava is the easiest thing to spot. Her hair is pulled back and buried beneath a gray hoodie lowered to the middle of her forehead. A brown paper bag is clutched fiercely in her hand as though it were filled with diamonds. Even through all these years, she's still my Ava. Her eyes intense and aflame with fury as she scanned the room of the hotel check-in. Always looking for a fight that's why it was always so fun giving her one. I brought my drink up taking a long sip watching as she approached the counter, exchanged a few words, and then tossed money at the attendant. She shifted on her feet ready to run, but there was no need i made my point and now it's her move. Games with Ava were always more fun than with anyone else. She was fiercely stubborn and with every blow and setback, she only seemed to dig her feet into the ground more attempting to become immoveable.  I had watched over Ava since she was young seeing her now was like a strange memory. She wasn't that girl in the alley anymore at least not right now. 

"James" Gunther said behind me his burly tone souring my mood. Whatever he had to tell me wasn't going to be what i wanted to hear. 

"Spit it out" I bark lowering my glass still watching a fidgety Ava. She lifted her hand biting at the tips of her fingers a nervous tick. One of many. 

"You should know one of the bullets from earlier hit the gang leader Mason"

"Wasn't he the one kissing Ava" I ground out. I tightened my hand around my glass threatening to break it in my hand at the memory. Ava shifted again scanning the ceilings of the room. My sweet sweet Ava that was stupid of her to make a move using another man. She knows i love her yet she would dare to even try to replace me. I'm a prideful man and she knows that well. Here i am extending my hand and she spits in it instead. Ungrateful. 

"Yes, but that's not the point" He grinds out. His tone has me hauling my shoulders back and turning to face him. 

"What is your point"

"This will start a war" I couldn't help but bark out a laugh rubbing my eyes with my free hand.

"Good" My tone is deadly as I rise to my feet. Gunther shifts backward his long blonde hair slipping over his shoulder "Because it looks like they need a reminder not to cross me again" 

"James" Gunther starts as i launch my glass to the floor. It shatters glass exploding all around us as i walk toward Gunther. I take the opening of his black suit jacket in my hands and haul him closer to me a glimmer of fear settling in his eyes. 

"I want to see them squirm. They want a war i will gladly indulge" I speak roughly with him my voice calm and placid but my hands shake with anger "If any man thinks he will ever have the slightest chance with my Ava i will skin him alive and deliver it to her myself" 

Gunther squirms under my grasp his suit wrinkling beneath my hands. He has blue eyes the color of the sky and his hair is the color of wheat in a fresh field like the ones I saw on TV as a kid. He grunts his hands locking around my wrists trying to subtly pry himself from my grasp, but the terrified alarm in his eyes has me tightening my grip. Power was important in this world it doesn't matter who you are Power is key to being king. There was nothing that fed my craving for power more than eyes filled with helplessness and fear an intoxicating mix. Ava had a special mix that would fill her eyes whenever she needed to be corrected. It was like she was snapped in half and utterly crushed. It was beautiful such a drastic change from the ferocious gaze she had learned to dawn on her face since the day I found her. 

"Sir" Gunther clears his throat pulling back against my hands. I let him go as he stumbles back hitting his leg against my desk. He bows to leave and i smile when i see the shake in his hands.